Driving mechanism



Sept. 7, 1937. A. JOHNSON 2,092,374

DRIVING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 19, 1954 40 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

thereby also effecting a Patented Sept. 7, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 20 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in tensioning mechanisms and to force closed driving connections and especially to a driving connection for apparatus actuated in accordance with the movement of driven mechanism.

This application is a continuation in part of my prior application, filed June 18, 1932, Serial No. 617,958, for Tape drive, and another application, filed February 11, 1933, Serial No. 656,380, for Driving mechanism.

The principal object of the invention is to improve the construction and mode of operation of drivingmechanism of the type wherein apparatus are driven through the intermediary of a reel and so to construct such mechanism that power from a suitable source of rotary motion is applied to the reel by a driving connection provided with a tension element and means for causing said tension element to be driven so as to automatically vary the driving force upon the reel in a predetermined manner.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of a novel driving connection which includes a torque clutch with elements similar to an electric motor of the type known as a torque motor, the same being employed in the driving connection in such a manner as to enable the torque motor to maintain, through the intermediary of co-operating mechanism, a predetermined or fixed tensioning and driving force on a member similar to a measuring tape.

Another feature involves a yielding driving connection for a reel with a torque controlled brake mechanism inserted in the line of power transmission.

A third feature is to have a reversible tape reel tighten up on the tape dependent from the reel during the take-up movement and to slacken off on the tape during the take-01f movement.

A fourth feature is the provision of a tension element with a suitable train of mechanism, that is rotatable as a whole, for enabling the tension element to work with mechanical advantage, reduction in the size of the tension element to reduce the effects arising from the moment of inertia of rotation.

A fifth feature is to have a tape reel motor release a spring applied reel brake responsive to the tension in the tape dependent from the reel.

A sixth feature involves means for actuating a safety switch when the tape dependent from a tape reel becomes abnormally slack.

A seventh feature is to have the reel motor subjected to reverse or relatively slow forward move- .structed and arranged ment during the take-up movement of a reversible reel, thereby relieving the reel motor from supplying the driving effort.

An eighth feature involves means for initiating motion of apparatus, through the intermediary tape to the driving effort.

A ninth feature is to have a reel motor meby a rotatable member of the wound upon the reel and drives the reel jointly with saidrotatable member.

In the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure l is a view illustrating my invention as applied to driving a tape nection with apparatus movable in accordance with the movement of elevator cars,

Figure 2 is adetail sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is adetail view of a brake taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a sectional view illustrating a geared torque clutch for a driving connection such as illustrated in Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 1, and

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a tape reel drive of the type in which a toothed member is driven by a tape of suitable construction.

In Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, of the accompanying drawing, I have illustrated one form of my invention as embodied in combination with an elevator driving mechanism and in which the driving connection of the present invention is conto drive a reel, upon which a tape, similar to a measuring tape is wound. It will also be observed that the driving connection of the present invention serves to drive the floor controller of an elevator, or similar device having an element movable in accordance with the movement of the elevator car.

A mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention has many advantages over all tape take-ups and floor controller driving mechanisms of the prior art with which I am familiar. One very decided advantage and one which I consider of great importance, resides in the factthat the driving of the tape reel and the floor controller is obtained directly from the 2 driving mechanism of the elevator car as distinguished from driving these devices from the elevator car as has been the practice heretofore in the prior art. The primary advantage gained by such a construction and arrangement of parts, resides in the fact that the tape reel and floor controller are driven immediately the driving mechanism of the car begins to operate, thereby synchronizing the driving of the tape reel and floor controller with the movement of the car and consequently eliminating all lost motion and lag in the driving of these elements. Still a further advantage gained is the fact the tape is relieved of the driving strain.

I will now proceed to describe Figure 1, in which I have illustrated a tensioning system for driving including an electro-magnetic gear with a rotatable outer member and a rotatable inner member.

The gear or motor, designated as a whole by the numeral 8, is provided with suitable windings which are led to sliprings. The sliprings are connected to a suitable source of electric current supply, as by brushes. The number of sliprings of course depending on the type of motor. In the present embodiment of the invention, the frame member of the motor 8, is rotatably mounted on a shaft 1. The shaft 1 forms a part rotatable with or driven by the rotor member of the motor 8. A rotatable member 5 is connected in driving relation with the frame mem ber of the motor 8, as by the drive sprockets I i and I6 and by the chain l5. In the present embodiment of the invention, the rotatable member 5 is an element of the elevators driving means.

Inserted in the line of power transmission are certain elements of a torque controlled brake 6. In the present embodiment of the invention these elements operatively connect the shaft 1 with a shaft 9 of a controller 0. One of said elements consists of a drive member 20 rigidly mounted on the shaft 1. A pin 2! is adjustably secured to the web of the member 20, as by nuts, see Figure 2. Rigidly mounted on the shaft 9 is a member 25, see Figure 3. A friction member 23 has the one end secured to the pin 2! and the other end secured as at l9. Reference numeral 24 designates a brake drum for the friction member 23. An adjustable spring 22 acts to cause engagement of the friction member 23 with the drum 24.

The motor or torque clutch 8 may be provided with a train of gearing as illustrated in Figure l. The construction and arrangement of the gears is that ordinarily employed in gear motors and it is not deemed necessary to recite the construction in detail. Two or more stages of gearing may be connected in series. In the present embodiment of the invention, the rotor shaft of the motor 8, carries a pinion A. The frame member of the motor 8 carries an internal gear 0. The idlers B are mounted, as upon a split or two part spider 4 I, one part of which is keyed or integral with the shaft i. The parts of the spider 4| are rigidly held together, as by bolts. Other types of gear trains may be employed as long as the apparatus is designed to have the motor and shaft reversed by mechanical power.

Referring again to Figure 1, the tape it) runs over a reel H and is wound thereon a number of times equal to the travel of the car 2. The reel ll, rotates with the shaft 28. The tape at the one end is secured in the bottom of the tape groove of the reel H, in any desired manner. For the end of the tape associated with the car, I prefer babbitting the tape and locating the end of said tape within a slidable member 32. The slidable member 32, is adapted to move between a fixed stop member 33, and an adjustable stop member 30, carried by a guide member 3|, having slots 34. The stop member 30, and the slots 34, in the guide member 3i, provide means for adjusting the length of the tape it. The adjustable member 3E, has a slot 36, for the tape and clamp means engaging the guide member 3 l. The guide member 3 I, is carried by the car 2, and is associated wtih a slack tape an actuator 31 located in an aperture 35, on said guide member 3 i. The floor controller or similar device 0 is operatively connected with the reel i l, as by the gears 29. While I have shown the flexible member II], as being wound up on the reel H in the form of a spiral, it will be understood that the reel may be provided with a distributor for forming successive helical layers.

When the tape Ill, becomes slack or parts, the sliding member 32, secured thereto moves by gravity towards the stop member 33, and the actuator 3?, located in the aperture 35 of the guide member 3!, is operated by the slidable member 32, and open-circuits the slack tape switch S, in such a manner that if the car and the reel II, are in motion when the tape IE3, parts, the brake 6, will halt the movement of the reel.

The switch S is of the usual cam and roller actuated type and so constructed as to be reset manually, and is electrically connected with the usual safety circuit of the car.

The automatic brake 6, prevents too rapid unwinding of the tape from the reel H, when the motor becomes de-energized and retards the reel when the tape parts, or becomes abnormally slack. The brake 6, may be adjusted by moving the pin 2 l, radially with relation to the shaft 1. It will, of course, be apparent that instead of the apertures 28 in the web, any suitable equivalent construction that will adjustably secure the pin 2|, to the drive member 26, may be used. The type of brake band used in this connection is immaterial so long as it is constructed to automatically engage the band 23, with the drum 2d, when the torque of the motor 8, falls below a predetermined value. For example, it is apparent that instead of a band of a single turn, a spring wound in the form of a helix may be used.

With the motor which has been described, the brake will operate in the following manner: Cut off of power to the motor enables rotation of the drive member 20, and a circumferential movement of the band connection secured thereto and thereby a radial movement of the band whereby the band comes in frictional contact with the friction surface of the brake drum 22. The cy lindrical member 25, has a recess in its peripheral surface of sufiicient size to allow a moderate degree of play therein for the one end of the band 23, and to provide means for connecting the band 23, to the member 2!], in such a manner that the connection and pin 2!, moves on the line of a circle the diameter of which is less than the diameter of the cylindrical member 25, thereby causing flexing and a bending stress in the band 23, and a sidewise or lateral movement of the body of the band 23, with respect to the member 25, when the torque of the motor falls below a predetermined value, whereupon the band 23, engages the brake drum as, in part, to resist relative movement therebetween during the operation of applying the brake and similarly causes the band 23, to gradually disengage from the switch S having friction of the brushes 2, 092,874 1 brakedrum. On thel'z'ipplication of an electriccurrent to the motor therebyprodu'cing torque tending to rotate the drive member 20, themovement of the drive member 20, causes the band 2-3, to contract around'the ports-the band 23, outof contact with the brake drum 24, and holds the band 23, in circular form to limit the movement of the drive member 20, and the band 23.

It will be understood that the torque of the motor may be regulated by suitable means in the usual manner.

With appropriate sprockets. By rotating the motor element con nected to the rotatable member 5, either faster or slower than the motor element connected with the reel H, a relative movement and a variation in the reaction between the rotor element and the frame element of the motor 8, is driven at a faster speed than the rotor element, then the torque motor will be driven backwards during the ascending movement of the car as the reel l I, is taking up tape. The reverse movement of the the windings of thetorque motor which results in increased torque. It will also be noted that the to reverse rotation, is amplified by gearing. The increased torque upon the reel II, when it is taking up tape, is desirable as it provides more power to counteract the forces of gravity and inertia the tape is being taken up. Elevator apparatus driven in accordance with the movement of elevator cars, unless inverted, usually take more and the action power when the car is ascending, of the torque motor is regulated by providing appropriate relative ratios of the component parts of the motion mechanism so that the reaction between the torque motor frame element and the rotor element varies in such a manner and in such a direction as to vary the power communicated to the device 0 in accordance with the torque required for driving the movable element thereof and maintaining an operating the member 25, sup-.'

motions between the frame element and the rotor element of the torque motor8,

=From the above description, it is readily apparent that the reel II, can be caused to be The electromotive force ofa direct current torque motor armature and its field, as is well known,'varies in proportion to the forward and reverse speed of the torque With a tape adapted to spirally wind and unwind on reel H, and with appropriate ratios of the component parts of the motion mechanism, it is readily seen that a tightening up on the tape ward movement of the The relative motions of the armature and the gearing, as illustrated in Figure 4. readily apparent that the motor mechanical It is also a train of gearing will give wheel eifect of the motor part connected with the reel. In this connection, it is again pointed out using the tape horse power, is therefore a small fraction of the power transmitted to the reel. The frame element of the torque motor, as illustrated in Figure 4, is controlled by the rotatable member 5, and the gears, gear housing and rotor are rotatable with the frame element, and therefore subject to synchronous movement with the movement of the rotatable member 5, and this movement is communicated to the reel because the connections between the reel H, and the rotatable member 5, are held taut by the motor 8, thereby resisting lost motion. The structure thus promotes movement as a whole of the motor and thereby tends to cause the rotatable member 5, to move the reel l 1, before the motor 8, has time to effect adjustment of the reel; the movement of the rotatable member 5, being comparatively fast and the relative motions between the frame element and the rotor element slow and gentle and, due to inertia and the said locking effect of the structure, it is obvious that the motion of the motor cooperates with the arrangement of the motion mechanism to cause the movement of the reel to be initiated and maintained by motion derived from the movement of the rotatable member 5, of the elevator driving mechanism.

From the above description of the invention, it is obvious that no injurious stresses are transmitted to the tape from the movement of the car or the elevator driving means on rapid acceleration and stopping of the car. The accuracy of floor controller operation is insured and no lag can occur between the controller and the car because motion is normally initiated by motion derived from the elevator driving means.

While the floor controller 0 has been shown as connected to the reel H, by the gears 29, it is obvious that other methods may be employed. For instance, the movable element of the device 0 may be provided with a member like a sprocket sheave 29 of appropriate diameter for engaging the tape it], as illustrated in Figure 6, when said tape is of suitable construction. This method of as a transmission belt or chain is obviously not preferred, but obviates reconstruction when used in connection with certain types of existing selector installations.

Attention is directed to the fact that other methods may be employed for driving the torque clutch to vary the magnitude of the driving eifort and to transmit power to the reel than by the means illustrated. As a-consequence, those claims subjoined hereto which do not involve the means for rotating the torque clutch in conjunction with the movement of the reel, and in accordance with the movement of the driven mechanism, are not intended to be limited to the specific means illustrated, but are intended to include generic-ally, in combination with a tape or movable material body engaged by a reel and a torque clutch between said reel and a source of rotary motion, any suitable means for connecting the torque clutch to the reel and to the driving means so that the torque clutch or torque motor furnishes an effective driving connection for the reel, controls the torque factor of the power transmitted to the reel and maintains an operating tension in the number engaged by the reel in the manner set forth.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, is:

1. A driving connection for apparatus of the type wherein a movable element of the apparatus is connected by a flexible member to a movable body, through the intermediary of co-operating connection between mechanism, and wherein means are provided including a rotatable member for driving the movable body, characterized by the fact that an electro-magnetic gear with rotatable driving and driven elements is connected in differential driving relation between the rotatable member and the movable element of the apparatus, whereby energizing of the gear effects driving of the apparatus in synchronism with the movement of the movable body.

2. A driving connection for apparatus, wherein a movable element of the apparatus is connected by a flexible member to a movable body, through the intermediary of co-operating mechanism, and wherein means are provided including a rotatable member for driving said movable body, characterized by the fact that an electric torque motor and a torque controlled element of an automatic brake means connects the rotatable member with the movable element of the apparatus, whereby energizing of the torque motor effects disengagement of the brake means and driving of the apparatus.

3. In a driving connection for a reel,- driven mechanism including a rotatable member and a movable body, a shaft in driving relation with a reel, a flexible member connecting the reel with the movable body, a driving connection between the rotatable member and the shaft including a torque motor having a rotatable frame member and a rotatable rotor, the combination therewith of a torque controlled brake including a brake drum and means inserted in the line of power transmission for automatically holding the reel against movement when the tensioning force on the flexible member falls below a predetermined value.

4. In an elevator mechanism, an arrangement for driving a device having a movable element for actuation in accordance with the movement of an elevator car, including an elevator car, driving means for the elevator car including a rotatable member, a reel connected with the movable element, a tape connecting said reel and said car, the combination therewith of a driving the rotatable member and the said movable element including a torque motor having a rotatable rotor and a rotatable frame member and means under the influence of both the rotatable member and the movement of the car for causing said rotor and the said frame member to rotate with relatively different speeds and for reversing the direction of relative rotation of said rotor and said frame member in accordance with the direction of movement of the car, whereby provision is made for varying the tensioning force .exerted upon said tape, so as to increase the tensioning force during the upward movement of the car.

5. In a tensioning mechanism for driving a tape controlled device, the combination with driven mechanism including a rotatable member, a reversible reel and a flexible member engaged on the one hand by said reel and on the other hand controlled in its movement by the action of the driven mechanism, a torque motor having relatively rotatable rotor and field members connected in differential driving relation between the reel and the rotatable member, when energized, to drive said reel jointly with said rotatable member and to vary the driving force on the reel in accordance with the speed and the y direction of movement of the reel thereby to increase the driving force on the reel during the take-up movement of the reel and effect a reduction in the tension on the flexible member during the take-of movement.

6. A tension element for driving comprising a torque motor having a rotatable rotor and a rotatable frame member, a driving elementsecured to the frame member, a driven element rotatable on said frame member, a train of mechanism supported by the frame member for connecting the torque motor rotor to the high speed end of said train of mechanism and said driven element to the low speed end, so that, when energized, said torque motor operates with mechanical advantage with respect to the load on said driven element and when driven is caused to vary the driving force in proportion with the relative ratios and speeds of the ,said driving and driven elements and the torque slip characteristics of the said torque motor.

7. A tension mechanism for driving a device of the type wherein a movable element is connected by a flexible member to a movable body, through the intermediary of a reel, and wherein driving means are provided including a rotatable member for driving said movable body and for causing said reel to be driven in conjunction with the movement of said movable body, characterized by the fact that a driving connection with a tension element connects the rotatable member in driving relation with the reel, so that movement of the reel is initiated in synchronism with the movementof the movable body by motion derived from the driving means, said driving connection including a torque motor having a rotatable rotor and a rotatable frame member and mechanical means for connecting said torque motor on theone hand to said rotatable member and on the other hand to said reel, said means including means for causing said torque motor,

, when energized, to automatically vary the intensity of the driving force on the reel in a predetermined manner, so as to cause said torque motor to impose additional tension on the driving connection during the take-up movement of the said reel. v

8. In an elevator system, an arrangement for driving'a device having, a movable member for actuation in accordance with the movement of an elevator car, including an elevator car, driving means for the elevator car including a rotatable member, a transmission member extending from said elevator carto said movable member above said elevator car, means at each end of said transmission member for securing it, on the one hand to the car, and on the other hand to said movable member, one of said. means including a reel upon which said transmission member is adapted to be wound, the combination therewith of a drivingconnection betweenv the rotatable member and the said reel comprising a torque motor having a rotatable frame member and'a rotatable rotor one of, which is connected to the said reel andthe other of which is connected to the .said rotatable member in sucha manner that, when energized, said frame member and said rotor are caused to rotate in conjunction with the movement of the rotatable member and the said reel and to have similar motionsand substantially the same speeds so asto maintain the torque of the torque motor constant, whereby said driving connection is eifectiveformaintaining a certain fixed torque upon. said reel to keep said transmission member undertension, whilesaid elevator car is inmotion, in, either. direction, as

, well aswhilesaid elevator carpis stationary.

9. In an elevator mechanism, an arrangement for driving a device of the type having a movable element for actuation in accordance with the movement of an elevator car, including an elevator car, driving means for the elevator car including a rotatable member, a reel in driving relation with the aforesaid movable element, a tape connecting said reel and said car, the combination therewith of a driving connection between the rotatable member and the said reel including atorque motor having a rotatable frame member and a rotatable rotor one of which is connected to the said reel and the other of whichis connected to the said rotatable member and mechanically,driventhereby in such a mannerthat, when energized, said rotor and said frame member are caused to rotate in conjunction with the movement of the rotatable member and the said reel, and to have similar and relative motions so as to vary the torque of the torque motor when the magnitude of driving force requirediin the one direction exceeds the standstill torque of the torque motor and is less in the other direction, whereby said driving connection applies torque to said reel to maintain said tape under tension and diverts from the reel the excess driving force over and above the torque, said torquev motor is caused to exert, and whereby said reel is driven, so as to cause the aforesaid movable element of the said device to operate in accordance with the movement of said elevator car. I

10. A structure as specified in claim 9, wherein said tape is adapted to spirally wind and unwind on said reel and cause variation in the diameter of the outerloop of the tape on the reel, whereby the movement of the reel causes variation in the torque exerted by the torque motor, to cause, during the take-up movement of the reel, the magnitude of the torque exerted by said torque motor to increase in accordance with the speed of the reel, and to cause, during the take-01f movement of the reel, the magnitude of the force applied to the reel to decrease, and whereby the expanding radii of the tape on the reel effects, during the upward movement of said elevator car, a tightening up on said tape thereby preventing lag between the reel and the car, and whereby the diminishing radii of the tape on the reel effects, during the down movement of the car, a reduction of the tension in the tape thereby preventing the down movement of the car from subjecting the tape to injurious stresses.

11. A structure as specified in claim'9, wherein atrain of gearing is interposed between said torque motor and said reel whereby the relative motions of said rotatable frame member and said rotatable rotor, due to the variation in the diameterv of the outer loop of said tape on-said reel, are amplified by said gearing, and whereby the motor works with mechanica advantage with respect to the load. I a i 12. A structure as specified in claim 9, wherein said driving connection includes a rotatable shaft in driving relation with said reel, a drive member connected with said torque motorin such amanner as to be driven thereby,a cylindrical member having a recess in its peripheral surface secured to said shaft, a brake drum in concentric relationship with the cylindrical member, a friction band having the one end connected with the said cylindrical member and adapted for automatic pressureengagement with. the friction- Cal tuating means carried by said drive member for connecting the other end of said friction band and for enabling the motor by a rotative movement of the drive member to disengage the friction band from the brake drum and cause the band to wrappingly engage the cylindrical member for limited movement of the drive sprocket and the said friction band, whereby said recess allows a moderate degree of play for circumferential movement and radial adjustment of said band actuating means and whereby said band actuating means are adapted to move within said recess on the line of a circle the diameter of which is less than the diameter of the said cylindrical member, thereby causing flexion of the friction band and a bending stress therein to urge the body of the friction band laterally and into partial contact with the friction surface of the brake drum so as to resist relative movement therebetween during the operation of applying and releasing the brake.

13. In an elevator mechanism, an arrangement for synchronizing the movement of a floor controller with the movement of an elevator car, in-

cluding an elevator car, driving means for the elevator car including a rotatable member, a reel in driving relation with the floor controller, a flexible member connecting said reel and said car, a brake drum, the combination therewith, of a driving connection between the rotatable member and the said reel including a spring applied brake, which, when applied prevents unwinding i of said flexible member from said reel, said brake including a friction member connected to said reel and arranged for automatic pressure engagement with said brake drum, and a torque motor having a rotatable frame element and a rotatable rotor element one of which is operatively connected to the said friction member and the other of which is connected to the said rotatable member, and connections thereto whereby said torque motor, when energized, is enabled to release said brake and maintain said flexible member under tension, said connections including motion mech- 5 anism effective, upon movement of said rotatable member, for causing said rotor element and said frame element to have similar motions, whereby said driving connection controls the intensity of the driving force so that the amount of power communicated to the reel varies in accordance with the work required for driving said floor controller and keeping said tape under tension.

14. In an elevator mechanism, an arrangement for synchronizing the movement of the movable element of a floor controller with the movement of an elevator car, including an elevator car, driving means for the elevator car including a rotatable member, a reel in driving relation with the movable element of the floor controller, a'tape connecting said reel and said car, the combination therewith of a driving connection between the rotatable member and the said reel including a torque motor having a rotatable field element and a rotatable armature element one of which is connected to the said reel and the other of which is connected to the said rotatable member and mechanically driven thereby in such a manner that, when energized, said field element and said armature element are caused to rotate in 70 the same direction, in conjunction with the movement of the rotatable member and the said reel,

and so that the speed of the motor element connected to the rotatable member exceeds the speed of the motor element connected to the reel, there- 7 by subjecting the torque motor to reverse motion during the take-up movement of the reel, whereby said torque motor controls the intensity of the driving force generated by the movement of the rotatable member, and whereby said driving connection is effective, upon movement of said rotatable member, to initiate and maintain motion of said reel so as to cause said reel to be driven by motion derived from the movement of the said rotatable member, thereby relieving said torque motor from supplying and said tape from transmitting the main driving effort.

15. In an elevator system, an arrangement for driving a device having a movable element for actuation in accordance with the movement of an elevator car, including an elevator car, driving means for the elevator car including a rotatable member, a reel, a tape connecting said reel and said car, a shaft in driving relation with said reel and said movable element, the combination therewith of a driving connection between the said shaft and the said rotatable member including a torque motor having a rotatable rotor and a rotatable frame member, one of which is connected to the reel and the other of which is connected to the said rotatable member, a source of electric current supply for enabling the torque motor to rotate the shaft and wind up the tape on the reel and to control the torque factor of the power communicated to the shaft by movement of the said rotatable member, and means associated with the tape and connected to the elevator car for causing the power operating means of the said elevator to become inoperative when the tape parts or becomes abnormally slack.

16. The structure set forth in claim 15, in which said last mentioned means includes means for actuating suitable latch means of a switch when the tape parts or becomes slack comprising a cam operatively connected with the tape and responsive to the action of the tape, guide means for the cam and anchoring the tape to the elevator car.

17. The structure set forth in claim 15, in which said electric torque motor rotor turns on bearings supported to the motor frame member, and wherein the motor rotor and frame members are rotatable as a whole, and wherein the motor is provided with a train of gears adapted to be rotated in unison therewith.

18. In an elevator system, an arrangement for synchronizing the movement of the movable element of the floor controller with the movement of the car, including an elevator car, driving means for the elevator car comprising a rotatable member, a reel in driving relation with the movable element of the floor controller, a tape connecting said reel and said car, the combination means adjustably mounted for therewith of a driving connection between the rotatable member and the said reel including a torque motor having a rotatable frame element and a rotatable rotor element one of which is connected to the said reel and the other of which is connected to the said rotatable member, and

motion mechanism inserted in said driving conin the direction to wind up the tape on the member being adapted to spirally wind and unreel, to decrease the torque exerted by the torque wind upon said reel and by the expansion and motor, during the down movement of said elethe contraction of the diameter of its outer loop including a movable body, driving means for being wound up on said reel.

said movable body including a rotatable mem- 20. A tensioned driving connection comprising her, a drive for said movable element, said drive in combination, a flexible element, a driven memincluding a transmission member connecting said her governing the forward feed of said element, movable element and said movable body and a driving mechanism for said driven member intorque motor operatively connected to said transeluding a. rotatable member, a reel for the flexmission member, through the intermediary of a ible element, an electric torque motor having said transmission member, said transmission ALFRED JOHNSON. 

